16.1.13

Kauai : Koloa Town & the Tropical Garden

Generally speaking, I am against all sorts of artificial setting as nothing beats the experience of the nature in pure state. Same goes with everything, I mean… Nothing tastes as organic, warms as fur and lightens as sunshine. Still, I appreciate the purpose of Botanical Gardens specially when captured through a talented lens (what am I gonna say `=^·^=´).

Located in the South of Kauai, Po'ipu is the city to head to if you are interested on a short walk around the Allerton Garden, built during the last 30 years with the effort and cash of James Allerton (the heir to a cattle fortune). The blend between European style with Hawaiian greenery is seamless and utterly pretty.

Rocks and cocks.

Orchids on the palm

Tropical leaves
Bee
Hibiscus, Hawaii's National flower

After some plants, we craved some shopping and town walk. So we took a short detour North and visited The Old Koloa Town, the first plantation town in Hawaii.

Willian Hooper, a 24 year old entrepreneur from Boston arrived to Hawaii in 1835. He realized that Polynesian sugarcane and Chinese immigrants' knowledge of refinery was the perfect cocktail and kicked the Big Sugar era. The town declined when the boom was over, but Kauai gracefully transitioned into a tourist spot - that kept its historic facade.

Follow Maluhia Rd (Hwy 520) to find Koloa.

The street is blast from the past.

Inside each of these houses, there is a store running today with a flavor of yesterday #nice

This tree was planted - and modeled - by a Japanese businessman, about 200 years ago.

Perfect timing for a last bath in the south, right before heading back home.